The Lost Art of Finding Anyone Online: A Digital Detective’s Playbook

You’re scrolling through old photos when a familiar face catches your eye-that college roommate you lost touch with a decade ago. Or maybe it’s more urgent: a debt collector keeps calling about someone with your name, and you need to prove it’s not you. Whatever the reason, finding someone online without spending a dime isn’t just possible-it’s often surprisingly easy if you know where to look.

I’ve been professionally digging up digital breadcrumbs for years, both as a journalist tracking down sources and as that friend everyone texts at 2 AM with “HOW did you find their Instagram?!” Here’s the truth: While paid services like BeenVerified have their place, most everyday searches don’t require opening your wallet. You just need patience, creativity, and a willingness to think like a detective or use Veripages!